08:54 , Graeme Evans
A deal with Amazon today helped the high-flying shares of FTSE 100-bound Games Workshop to rise by another 20p to 13,970p.
The group announced an agreement with the US tech giant for the adaption of its Warhammer 40,000 universe into films and television series.
The deal includes an option for Amazon to license equivalent rights in the Warhammer Fantasy universe following the release of any initial Warhammer 40,000 production.
The Nottingham-based company is now worth £4.6 billion, large enough for promotion to the FTSE 100 index in this month’s quarterly reshuffle.
08:45 , Graeme Evans
Moonpig shares have fallen by 10% after the online greetings card business said the turnaround of its gift experiences division has taken longer than expected.
The FTSE 250-listed company highlighted the impact of current economic conditions as it wrote down the value of the business by £56.7 million.
This meant a bottom-line loss of £33 million for the six months to 31 October, although without the adjustment profits rose 9% to £27.3 million.
Revenues from the core Moonpig brand rose 10%, underpinned by growth in orders. The company also announced an inaugural interim dividend of 1p a share.
The shares fell 25.5p to 242p.
08:20 , Graeme Evans
The FTSE 100 index has fallen 0.5% or 41.26 points to 8310.82, with Ashtead down 8% after the equipment hire firm downgraded full-year profit guidance.
The revision came after second quarter results showed local construction markets in North America have been affected by the prolonged higher interest rate environment.
This partly offset the company’s strength in mega projects and hurricane response efforts.
The company, which also announced its intention to switch its primary listing to New York, fell 498.7p to 5773.3p.
British Gas owner Centrica rose 0.3p to 131.7p after reporting that full-year earnings will be in line with City forecasts.
07:12 , Graeme Evans
FTSE 100-listed equipment hire firm Ashtead dealt a blow to the London market today by revealing its intention to move its primary listing to New York.
The Sunbelt owner said its board had concluded that the US market is the natural long term listing venue for the group. It will retain a secondary UK listing in the International Companies segment.
It said: “Ashtead is substantially a US business, reporting in US dollars, with almost all the group’s operating profit derived from North America, which is also the core growth market for the business.
